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Merrill Urges New Way For Military To Vote

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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Secretary of the State Denise Merrill is recommending that Connecticut lawmakers consider a system that would allow out-of-state military personnel to download and print out a version of their city or town’s absentee ballot.

But Merrill says the completed ballots should still be mailed back to local election officials rather than sent by fax or email.

She says her office has security and privacy concerns about allowing voters to electronically return ballots.

Legislation enacted last year required Merrill to select a method for the timely return of ballots from military personnel after complaints from some voters that their ballots weren’t counted.

Sen. Gayle Slossberg says 28 other states allow ballots from military personnel to be returned electronically. She predicts the issue will be revisited in the session beginning Feb. 5.